Normal?

julz68 · Apr 18, 2013

I was hired for full time straight nights on a medical unit at the hospital. I had 4 weeks orientation on days and 2 weeks on nights. The first 2 days I just shadowed my preceptor and help give meds. Then I took one patient and did everything for a couple days...then 2 patients...and by my 3rd week had full load doing everything with my preceptor just sitting on the sidelines if I had questions. When I went to nights, I shadowed my night preceptor for the first night to get the feel of the night routine and after that took the full load on my own. At first I thought 6 weeks wasn't enough time but I've been off orientation for 2 weeks now and I'm doing great! Then again, I also have great coworkers who are always available if I need help and ask me frequently if I need anything.

ssaarraahh · Apr 20, 2013

I think the orientation usually depends on the unit you are hired on to. For me, my orientation is 6 months because I'm on labor and delivery. I do 3 12 hr shifts a week. Most of the time, each nurse only has one patient (or should I say pair since you have an unborn baby if mom is still in labor, and two patients if she has delivered). I started out the first two shifts just shadowing my preceptor, then I started slowly getting more involved with patient care.

If you think you need more time for your orientation, you should talk to your manager and see if you can get some more time.

mwc1230 · Apr 20, 2013

What about teaching about nursing interventions?

mwc1230 · Apr 20, 2013

And, honestly, I haven't even seen or talked to my manager since I started 2 months ago. Who knows of I'm still on orientation or not....I'm not even on the unit she said I would be in.

I'm just over it.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 22, 2013

You should have been provided with documentation that outlines exactly what is supposed to happen during your orientation in terms of goals/objectives & criteria that will be used to evaluate your success. If not, get this clarified ASAP. How can you possibly know what you are supposed to do if no one has given you this information. The biggest danger? You finish orientation only to be told that you did not meet some type of expectation so you are being terminated.... yep, it can happen.

The overall purpose of orientation is to ensure that you meet minimal competency expectations - for that particular job & patient population. If those competencies include skills that you did not acquire in previous jobs or in school, you should be provided with resources need to acquire them. "Teaching" methods could include formal class, self study, skills lab, on the job training, etc. The two most important aspects are (very important): 1) criteria used to evaluate performance & 2) timeline or deadline for achievement of the goal/objective.

It's not necessary to be in contact with your manager, but you certainly need to know your status - if you are still in orientation or not. Sounds like you are certainly not being provided with essential information. If you have questions and cannot reach your manager then you need to talk to HR.

julz68 · Apr 24, 2013

I agree with HouTx. I was provided a 3 ring binder with skills I needed to be validated on as well as a week long classroom setting to learn policies, procedures, computer charting etc. Although my orientation on the floor with a preceptor was only 6 weeks, I do have 6 months to complete my validation on skills.

I am very lucky to have a great manager tho. I only see her in the morning at shift change since I work 12 hr straight nights, but she keeps in contact with me either by email or text to ask how things are going or to tell me she's heard positive things about my work performance.

It doesn't sound like management in your facility is very connected with new employees or clear on their expectations. I seriously would take time to visit your HR and voice your concerns. It just does not seem fair at all to you.